BBC Sport pundit Danny Mills has said that Daniel Sturridge’s days with Liverpool could be numbered after struggling to garner regular gametime this season. The England international has made most of his 18 league appearances off the bench this term and he could potentially leave on a free with his contract expiring next month.

Speaking on BBC Sport, Mills said that Sturridge can’t compete for a regular role with the Merseyside giants, considering Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are ahead of him in the pecking order. He added that he has lost the zip from his early days with the club and could probably head through the exit door this summer.

He said: “His days are numbered. He has been an exceptional player for Liverpool, particularly when [Luis] Suarez was there. Realistically, can he get in the side going forward and replace Mohammed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane? No, he can’t. Liverpool need more competition for the front three, someone who can come in when they are unavailable or need a rest. Sturridge is no longer that player. He has lost that zip, probably due to all the injuries, and is not the player he was.”

Sturridge has started in recent league matches against Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United, but that has, however, come from the fact that Roberto Firmino has been sidelined with an ankle problem. Meanwhile, Divock Origi seems to have jumped ahead of him in the pecking order after his stunning match-winning effort against Barcelona and Klopp has recently hinted that the upcoming Champions League final could mark the final game at the club for the former Manchester City graduate.

Liverpool are deemed favourites to secure their sixth European crown against Tottenham Hotspur next month, but they can’t be complacent, considering Spurs have the likes of Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura, who have proved match-winners at different stages of the Champions League campaign.